Multivoltage sadiron



P 17, 1940- ca. 5. BRAUN 2,215,029

MULTIVOLTAGE SADIROI Filed April 3, 1939 \wmm INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS 50 my multivoltage sadiron.

Patented Sept. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIVOLTAGE SADIRON corporation of Missouri Application April 3, 1939,, Serial No. 265,658

4 Claims.

An'object of my invention is to provide a multivoltage sadiron of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide a sadiron which 5 can be connected with either a 1l0-v,olt circuit or a 220-volt circuit and which in either case will utilize the same heating element and operate it at full efllciency without any danger of overheating on the higher voltage. 10 A further object is to provide the sadiron with a heating element having a center tap and a series-parallel switch mounted in the sole plate and normally assuming a position for connecting the two halves of the heating element in series 18 with each othenthe switch being movable to its other position when a spreader element coacts with the switch, whereupon the two halves of the heating element are connected in parallel ior 110- volt instead of 220-volt energization.

20 A further object is to provide an operating device or knob for the switch, which knob is conveniently mounted on the exterior of the iron, such as the cover plate for the heating element and sole plate and which can be slid from one 25 position to another, indicia being provided to indicate for which voltage the switch is set.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my 30 device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multivoltage 5 sadiron embodying my invention;

Figure 1a is a fragmentary view of a portion thereof showing a control knob in a different position;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the sole plate with 40 a first cover plate mounted thereon and all parts above the first cover plate removed and the holddown screws therefor shown in section;

Figure 315 an enlarged sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is an electrodiagrammatic view of the I heating element supply terminals and switch ,of

On the accompanying drawing I have used the reference numeral III to indicate a sole plate. The sole plate l3 has a groove l2 formed therein adapted to receive a heating element H. The 55 heating element H may comprise a. coiledresistance wire I 3 and refractory insulation 4 therefor.

A first cover plate I5 is provided for the sole plate l and the heating element H. This plate is surmounted by a second cover plate l6 and the two are held in position on the sole plate by screws H. The usual handle supports l8 and I3 and a handle 20 are mounted on the cover plate |6 for. manipulating the sadiron.

A pair of terminals 2| and 22 areprovided for supplying-current-to the heating element H. I- also provide a series-parallel switch consisting of a pair of leaf spring contacts 23 constituting a first switch and third and fourth contacts 24 and 25 for coaction therewith, as shown in ,Fig- 16 ure 2. The leaf springs 23 are suitably connected to an insulating support 26 and are normally For operating the series-parallel switch 23 24-25, I provide a knob 21 slidably mounted with respect to a slot 28 in the cover plate l6. Below the cover plate a post or spreader element 23 is connected to the knob 21. The spreader element 23 is made of insulation and is adapted to be moved from the position of Figure 5 to the solid line position of Figure2. Such movement separates-the contacts of the springs 23 from each other and engages them with the contacts 24 and 25. This results in a change from a series, circuit of Figure 5 to a parallel circuit of Figure 2. 30

To accomplish the desired series-parallel circuit connections, the terminal 2| is connected by a wire 33 to one end of the heating element H. The terminal 22 is connected by a wire 3| to one of the spring contacts 23. The other spring contact is connected by a wire 32 to the other end of the heating element. A wire 33 also connects the terminal 2| to the contact 24, while a wire 34 connects a center point 35 of the heating element to the contact 25. The series circuit can be traced through the elements of Figure '5 as follows: From 2| through 30, H, 32, 23, 23, and

3| to 22.- The parallel circuit can be traced in Figure 2 is follows: First parallel circuit from 2| through 30, onehalf of H, 35, 34, 25, 23, and

the knob is in the position of Figure 5 for series circuit operation, the indicium -v. is covered and 220-v. uncovered, as in Figure la. I am thus able to provide a simple switch construction which is inexpensive to manufacture and readily operable and when in either of its positions clearly indicates what current value should be applied to the iron.

Although I have described my invention in connection with a sadiron, it is obvious that it can be used in connection with other electric appliances in which it is desirable to have a heating element that can be connected with either one of two voltages. This is particularly desirable in connection with appliances that can be carried to foreign countries, where available voltages are quite often diiferent from those prevailing throughout the United States.

Having described one specific embodiment of my invention together with the operation thereof, I desire it to be understood that this form is selected merely for the purpose of facilitating disclosure of the invention rather than for the purpose of limiting the number of forms which it may assume, It is to be further understood that various modifications, adaptations and alterations may be applied to the specific form disclosed to meet the requirements of practice without in any manner departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention except as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. In a multivoltage sadiron, a sole plate, a heating element therefor, a cover for said sole plate and heating element, a pair of current supply terminals for said heating element, one,of said terminals being directly connected with one end of said heating element, a first switch normally connecting the second of said terminals with the other end of said heating element, second and third switches, and means for opening said first switch and closing said second and third switches, said second and third switches being operable to connect said other end also of said heating element with said first terminal and an intermediate point of said heating element with said second terminal, said means for operating said switches comprising a two position knob mounted on said cover and a pair of indicia on said cover for said knob, one indicium being covered thereby when the knob is in one of said positions and the other being covered thereby when said knob is in the other of said positions.

2. In an electric appliance, a heating element having a center tap, a pair of supply wires for said heating element, a series-parallel switch connected with the ends of said heating element, with said center tap and with said supply wires and means for changing said switch from one position with the two halves of said heating element connected in series to its other position with the two halves of said heaitng element connected in parallel and vice versa, said'means including a switch operating element, indicator means associated therewith, an indicium-bearing member, and a pair of indicia thereon, one indicium being covered by said indicator means when said switch is in one position, and the other indicium being covered by said indicator means when said switch is in its other position.

3. In a multivoltage sadiron, a sole plate, a heating element therefor and having a center tap, a pair of terminals for said heating element, a series-parallel switch connected with the ends of said heating element, with said center tap and with said terminals, a cover for said sole plate and heating element and means for changing said switch from one position with the'two halves of said heating element connected in series to its other position with the two halves of said heating element connected in parallel and vice versa, said means including a knob movable on said cover plate and a pair of indicia on the cover plate for the knob, one indicium being covered by the knob when in one of its positions and the other indicium being covered thereby when the knob is in its other position. I

4. In an electric appliance, a heating element, supply wires for said heating element, a switch connected with said heating element and with said supply wires, and means for changing said switch from one position with two portions of said heating element connected in series to its other position with the two portions connected in parallel and vice versa, said means including a switch operating element, indicator means associated therewith, an indicium-bearing member, and indicia thereon, part of said indicia being obscured by said indicator means when said switch is in its other position.

GWILYM STANLEY BRAUN. 

